More draft workouts

The Sonics worked out five players Sunday, including Stanford center Brook Lopez along with Kansas’ Sasha Kaun, Louisville’s David Padgett, Boston College’s Tyrelle Blair and Serbia’s Vladimir Gulubovic. Lopez is obviously a candidate for the Sonics’ first-round pick while the remaining four players will be lucky to get into the second round.

Kaun is an intriguing guy, a former prep All-American who was a key reserve on the Jayhawks’ national championship run and Kansas players — save Raef LaFrentz or Wayne Simien — usually make reliable pros. Blair was a part-time player at Boston College and is a big body (6-11, 242) and is probably going to have to go the free-agent route. Padgett, in my opinion, is going to be a solid pro but injuries derailed a promising career.

Gulubovic is a project who played at the NBA’s Pre-Draft camp. With four second-round picks, expect the Sonics to draft two or three players and stash them in Europe for a few years.

Workouts are kicking into high gear and here is the list of workouts this week with a comment on each participant. The Sonics own three of the first 32 picks in the draft.

Darrell Arthur, Kansas — A swingman who should probably go back to school for another year to become a lock lottery pick, but could drop to 24 for the Sonics’ second round pick.

Marreese Speights, Florida — A big man who flourished last season with the Gators after being a part-time freshman player on the national championship team. One solid year doesn’t make an NBA player, so Speights has a high potential to be a bust.

Lorenzo Mata-Real, UCLA — His skills are painfully limited and he is strictly a rebounder and defender who is trying to play himself into the second round, but he is likely headed overseas because he has no offensive games and didn’t dramatically improve in four years at UCLA.

Steven Hill, Arkansas — A 7-footer who played in a secondary role for the Razorbacks, Hill is a big guy who is intriguing because of his athleticism, but is likely headed overseas.

Jerryd Bayless, Arizona — Right now the prohibitive favorite to become a Sonic, Bayless is 6-3, fast and has scoring ability. The only question is how long it will take for him to adjust to point guard, but until then the Sonics have a capable point in Earl Watson to serve as a mentor.

Luc Louves, France — Would the Sonics’ take a chance on another French player? Depending on Louves’ potential but the 19-year-old is likely headed back to Europe for more seasoning.

Eric Gordon, Indiana — He is a true two-guard and he will eventually become an All-Star because of his strength and ability to score. The question for the Sonics is whether they nab Gordon and move Kevin Durant to the small forward position, and what would that mean for Jeff Green?

Will Daniels, Rhode Island — Daniels is a productive small forward who is just trying to get into the second round, but he is likely going to have to try the free-agent route and summer league teams.

Marcus Dove, Oklahoma State — He is a guy who intrigues the Sonics, a tough defense who is long and athletic. He averaged nearly two steals per game for the Cowboys and he may be worth taking a flyer for a second-round pick.

James Gist, Maryland — He seems to be Jeff Green without the passing skills and offensive game. But Gist is a big-time athlete and will attract his share of attention.

DJ White, Indiana — A powerful power forward who could be a late first-round pick and some draft projections have the Sonics taking him at No. 32.

Trent Plaisted, BYU — BYU hasn’t produced a standout NBA player since Danny Ainge and don’t think scouts won’t hold the Rafael Araujo debacle a few years ago against Plaisted. But he’s hired an agent and likely a second rounder.

Richard Hendrix, Alabama — Anybody who averages a double-double in the SEC is worth a long look, but Hendrix is an undersized center and could be a Nick Collison clone given his strength despite a lack of size. Not sure how much he can accomplish by going back to school, perhaps getting into the first round in 2009.

Devon Hardin, Cal — The four-year starter from my alma mater probably should have left school last season because he had a poor senior season, but he looked ridiculously athletic and impressive when he is playing well. He is a forward/center in the NBA and if he plays with hunger, could become a capable NBA player. Maybe a shot at No. 32.

Kentrell Gransberry, South Florida — Gransberry weighted in at 290 pounds at the pre-draft camp and the third-highest body fat percentage in camp history — Oliver Miller, Marco Killingsworth — according to draftexpress.com. So he’s got a lot of making up to do.